Hinge

ABSTRACT

An interfering assembly of a hinge includes a male element including a first raised portion and a second raised portion, and a female element defining a through hole. A sliding surface apart from a center of the through hole protrudes from the female element. An inner slot and an outer slot are formed beside the sliding surface. The female element defines a first depressed portion and a second depressed portion correspondingly engaged with the first and second raised portions. Widths of the inner slot and the outer slot are gradually varied. During rotation of the rotating member, the first and second raised portions are slid out from the first and second depressed portions, respectively, and then in frictional engagement with the sliding surface, together with partial portions covering the inner and outer slots, correspondingly.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The disclosure relates to a hinge.

2. Description of Related Art

A collapsible device, such as a notebook computer, or a clamshell mobilephone, generally includes a main body hinged to a display.

The hinge includes a fixing member attached to the display, a shaftwhich is attached to the fixing member, and a rotating member rotatablymounted to the shaft. The shaft has frictional engagement with therotating member during rotation of the rotating member relative to thefixing member. Therefore, the display can stay positioned at any anglewith respect to the main body through friction between the shaft and therotating member. However, when opening or closing the display relativeto the main body, the shaft and the rotating member have the initialstatic friction to overcome, which requires users to provide extra forceto operate the display and occasionally they may inadvertently cause thedisplay to strike the main body with too much force and thus shorten thelife of the device. Correspondingly, the display may be difficult toopen relative to the main body because of the initial static frictionbetween the shaft and the sleeve. Therefore, it is inconvenient forusers and could cause damage to the device. For these reasons, theartwork could be improved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the present embodiments can be better understood withreference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings arenot necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed uponclearly illustrating the principles of the present embodiments.Moreover, in the drawings, all the views are schematic, and likereference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the severalviews.

FIG. 1 is an exploded, isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of ahinge, the hinge including an interfering assembly.

FIG. 2 is similar to FIG. 1, but viewed from another perspective.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the interfering assembly of FIG. 1, theinterfering assembly includes a male element and a female element.

FIG. 4 is an assembled, isometric view of the hinge of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 4, taken along the line V-V.

FIG. 6 is similar to FIG. 5, but showing the female element rotated atan angle relative to the male element.

FIG. 7 is an exploded, isometric view an interfering assembly of anotherembodiment of a hinge.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosure, including the accompanying drawings in which likereferences indicate similar elements, is illustrated by way of examplesand not by way of limitation. It should be noted that references to “an”or “one” embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily to the sameembodiment, and such references mean at least one.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, in an exemplary embodiment, a hingeincludes a shaft 10, a fixing member 20, a rotating member 30, aplurality of washers 40 fixed onto the shaft 10, an elastic assembly 50,an interfering assembly 60, and a fastener 70. In this embodiment, thefastener 70 is a nut.

The shaft 10 includes a fixing portion 14 on the head of the shaft 10having a double D-shaped cross-section, a shaft post 12 opposite to thefixing portion 14, and a washer-shaped shoulder 16 between the fixingportion 14 and the shaft post 12. The shaft post 12 has a doubleD-shaped cross-section, and forms a threaded portion (not labeled) onthe circumference of a distal end of the shaft post 12, for engagingwith the fastener 70. The shoulder 16 has a greater diameter than theshaft post 12.

The fixing member 20 includes a connecting portion 22 defining aplurality of fixing holes 220 therein, and a fixing portion 24perpendicularly extending from a side of the connecting portion 22. Thefixing portion 24 defines a matching hole 26 having a double-D shapedcross-section, corresponding to the fixing portion 14 of the shaft 10,for non-rotatably fixing the shaft 10 to the fixing member 20.

The rotating member 30 is generally L-shaped. The rotating member 30includes a fixing arm 31 defining a plurality of fixing holes 310therein, and a pivoting portion 32 extending from an end of the fixingarm 31. The pivoting portion 32 defines a through hole 320, throughwhich the shaft post 12 of the shaft 10 rotatably extends. The pivotingportion 32 defines a securing hole 322, adjacent to the through hole320.

Each washer 40 defines a double-D shaped fixing hole 42, through whichthe shaft post 12 of the shaft 10 non-rotatably passes.

The elastic assembly 50 includes a plurality of elastic rings (notlabeled) arranged in a line and resisting against each other. Eachelastic ring defines a round through hole 52, allowing the shaft post 12of the shaft 10 to rotatably pass through. The elastic assembly 50provides elasticity along an axis of the shaft 10, to tighten theinterfering assembly 60, the washers 40, and the rotating member 30.

Referring to FIG. 3, the interfering assembly 60 includes a male element62, and a female element 66 rotated relative to the male element 62.

The male element 62 is generally washer shaped. The male element 62defines a double-D shaped mounting hole 620 in a center of the maleelement 62, through which the shaft post 12 of the shaft 10non-rotatably extends. A first raised portion 622 and a second raisedportion 624, both arranged around the mounting hole 620 protrudes from afirst side of the male element 62. The first raised portion 622 and thesecond raised portion 624 are opposite each other, across the mountinghole 620. The first raised portion 622 is adjacent to the mounting hole620, and the second raised portion 624 is adjacent to a circumference ofthe male element 62.

The female element 66 is generally washer shaped. The female element 66defines a through hole 662 in a center of the female element 66,allowing the shaft post 12 of the shaft 10 rotatably extending through.The female element 66 includes a lubricating surface 660 (shown inFIG. 1) defining a plurality of grooves 664 for receiving lubricant. Aprotrusion (not labeled) extends from a circumference of the femaleelement 66, with a fixing post 663 extending from the protrusion, facingand perpendicular to the lubricating surface 660.

A circular-ring shaped sliding surface 661 protrudes from a side of thefemale element 66, opposite to the lubricating surface 660. A center ofthe sliding surface 661 is apart from a center of the through hole 662.Hence, the side of the female element 66 is divided into an inner slot666 adjacent to the through hole 662, and an outer slot 667 adjacent tothe circumference of the female element 66. The sliding surface 661includes a first depressed portion 668 adjacent to the inner slot 666,and a second depressed portion 669 opposite to the first depressedportion 668, across the through hole 662. The inner slot 666 extendsalong an edge bounding the through hole 662 from opposite ends of thefirst depressed portion 668, with gradually diminishing the width of theinner slot 666. Therefore, the width of the inner slot 666 adjacent tothe first depressed portion 668 is largest. The second depressed portion669 is arranged adjacent to the outer slot 667. The outer slot 667extends along the circumference of the female element 66 from oppositeends of the second depressed portion 669, with gradually diminishing thewidth of the outer slot 666. Therefore, the width of the outer slot 667adjacent to the second depressed portion 669 is largest.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, in assembly, the fixing portion 14 of theshaft 10 is inserted into the matching hole 26 of the fixing member 20.Thereby, the shaft 10 is non-rotatably fixed to the fixing member 20,with the shoulder 16 of the shaft 10 butting up against the fixingportion 24 of the fixing member 20. The shaft post 12 of the shaft 10 isinserted through the fixing hole 42 of a first washer 40, the throughhole 320 of the rotating member 30, the fixing hole 42 of a secondwasher 40, the through hole 662 of the female element 66, the mountinghole 620 of the male element 62, the through hole 52 of the elasticassembly 50, and the fixing hole 42 of the third washer 40 one by one inthat order, with the distal end of the shaft post 12 engaging thefastener 70 to prevent the rotating member 30, the male element 62, thefemale element 66, the elastic assembly 50, and the washers 40 fromdisengaging from the shaft 10. In this state, the first and secondraised portions 622 and 624 of the male element 62 are engaged in thefirst and second depressed portions 668 and 669 of the female element66, correspondingly. The fixing post 663 of the female element 66 isengaged in the securing hole 322 of the rotating member 30, so that thefemale element 66 can rotate together with the rotating member 30.

Referring to FIG. 6, in use, the above-mentioned hinge can be utilizedin a collapsible device (not shown), such as a notebook computer, thatincludes a base (not shown) and a cover (not shown) hinged to the base.The rotating member 30 is fixed to the cover through a plurality offixing holes 310. Correspondingly, the fixing member 20 is fixed to thebase through a plurality of fixing holes 220. While opening the cover,the cover is rotated relative to the base, so that the rotating member30 is rotated relative to the fixing member 20, with the female element66 rotating relative to the male element 62. Therefore, the first andsecond raised portions 622 and 624 of the male element 62 are slid outfrom the first and second depressed portions 668 and 669 of the femaleelement 66, respectively. Thereafter, the first and second raisedportions 622 and 624 are in frictional engagement with the slidingsurface 661, with partial portions of the first and second raisedportions 622 and 624 covering the inner slot 666 and the outer slot 667,correspondingly. In this process, the region of friction between thefirst and second raised portions 622 and 624 and the sliding surface 661becomes larger, resulting in increased friction between the male element62 and the female element 66. Therefore, the cover is easily maintainedin a particular position.

When the cover is closed towards the base, the first and second raisedportions 622 and 624 of the male element 62 slide along the slidingsurface 661 of the female element 66, and is then engaged in the firstand second depressed portions 668 and 669 of the female element 66,respectively. In this process, the region of friction between the firstand second raised portions 622 and 624 and the sliding surface 661becomes smaller. As a result, friction between the male element 62 andthe female element 66 decreases, so that the cover is easier to close.

Referring to FIG. 7, in another embodiment, the female element 66 adefines a through hole 662 a in a center of the female element 66 a. Acircular-ring shaped sliding surface 661 a protrudes from a side of thefemale element 66 a. A center of the sliding surface 661 a is apart froma center of the through hole 662 a. Hence, the side of the femaleelement 66 a is divided into an inner slot 666 a adjacent to the throughhole 662 a, and an outer slot 667 a adjacent to the circumference of thefemale element 66 a. The sliding surface 661 a defines a first depressedportion 668 a adjacent to the inner slot 666 a, and a second depressedportion 669 a opposite to the first depressed portion 668 a, across thethrough hole 662 a. The inner slot 666 a extends along an edge boundingthe through hole 662 a from opposite ends of the first depressed portion668 a, with the width of the inner slot 666 gradually becoming larger.Therefore, the width of the inner slot 666 a adjacent to the firstdepressed portion 668 is smallest. The second depressed portion 669 a isarranged adjacent to the outer slot 667 a. The outer slot 667 a extendsalong the circumference of the female element 66 a from opposite ends ofthe second depressed portion 669 a, with the width of the outer slot 666gradually becoming larger. Therefore, the width of the outer slot 667 aadjacent to the second depressed portion 669 a is smallest.

In use, the female element 66 a can be utilized in the afore-mentionedhinge, to replace the female element 66. When the rotating member 30 isrotated relative to the fixing member 20, with the female element 66 arotating relative to the male element 62, the first and second raisedportions 622 and 624 of the male element 62 are slid out from the firstand second depressed portions 668 a and 669 a of the female element 66a, respectively. Thereafter, the first and second raised portions 622and 624 are under frictional engagement with the sliding surface 661 a,with partial portions of the first and second raised portions 622 and624 covering the inner slot 666 a and the outer slot 667 a,correspondingly. In this process, the region of friction between thefirst and second raised portions 622 and 624 and the sliding surface 661a becomes smaller. As a result, friction between the male element 62 andthe female element 66 a decreases, so that the rotating member 30 ismore easily rotated. Obviously, during rotation of the rotating member30 along a direction opposite to the afore-mentioned, friction betweenthe male element 62 and the female element 66 a increases, so that itprevents the cover from closing fast to strike against the base.

It is believed that the present embodiments and their advantages will beunderstood from the foregoing description, and they will be apparentthat various changes may be made thereto without departing from thespirit and scope of the description or sacrificing all of their materialadvantages, the examples hereinbefore described merely being exemplaryembodiment.

1. A hinge comprising: a fixing member; a shaft non-rotatably fixed tothe fixing member, the shaft comprising a shaft post; a rotating memberrotatably sleeved on the shaft post; an interfering assembly comprisinga male element and a female element rotatable relative to the maleelement, the male element non-rotatbly fixed to the shaft post, a firstraised portion and a second raised portion protruding from the maleelement, the female element defining a through hole in a center of thefemale element; wherein the shaft post is rotatably extended through thethrough hole of the female element, a circularly shaped sliding surfaceprotrudes from a side of the female element, a center of the slidingsurface is apart from a center of the through hole, an inner slotadjacent to the through hole and an outer slot adjacent to acircumference of the female element are formed beside the slidingsurface, a width of the inner slot is gradually varied along an edgebounding the through hole, and a width of the outer slot is graduallyvaried along the circumference of the female element; the female elementdefines a first depressed portion abutting against the inner slot, and asecond depressed portion abutting against the outer slot, the first andsecond depressed portions are correspondingly engaged with the first andsecond raised portions; an elastic assembly rotatably sleeved on theshaft post, to provide elasticity along an axis of the shaft post totighten the interfering assembly and the rotating member; and a fastenerfixed to a distal end of the shaft post; wherein when the rotatingmember is rotated relative to the fixing member, the first and secondraised portions are slid out from the first and second depressedportions, respectively, in frictional engagement with the slidingsurface, together with partial portions of the first and second raisedportions covering the inner and outer slots, correspondingly,thereafter, the region of friction between the first and second raisedportions and the sliding surface is varied.
 2. The hinge of claim 1,wherein the inner slot extends along an edge bounding the through holefrom opposite ends of the first depressed portion, with graduallydiminishing the width of the inner slot, the outer slot extends alongthe circumference of the female element from opposite ends of the seconddepressed portion, with gradually diminishing the width of the outerslot.
 3. The hinge of claim 2, wherein the male element defines adouble-D shaped mounting hole, through which the shaft postnon-rotatably extends, the first and second raised portions are aroundthe mounting hole, and opposite each other across the mounting hole. 4.The hinge of claim 3, wherein the first raised portion is adjacent tothe mounting hole, and the second raised portion is adjacent to acircumference of the male element.
 5. The hinge of claim 2, wherein therotating member comprises a pivoting portion defining a through hole anda securing hole, the shaft post rotatbly extends through the throughhole, a fixing post extends from the female element to engage in thesecuring hole.
 6. The hinge of claim 5, further comprising two washersfixedly fixed to the shaft post, wherein the washers are located atopposite sides of the pivoting portion.
 7. The hinge of claim 6, whereinthe shaft further comprises a washer-shaped shoulder adjacent to theshaft post, one of the washers abuts against the pivoting portion andthe female element, and the other washer abuts against the pivotingportion and the shoulder.
 8. The hinge of claim 1, wherein the innerslot extends along an edge bounding the through hole from opposite endsof the first depressed portion, with the width of the inner slotgradually becoming larger, the outer slot extends along thecircumference of the female element from opposite ends of the seconddepressed portion, with the width of the outer slot gradually becominglarger.
 9. The hinge of claim 8, wherein the male element defines adouble-D shaped mounting hole, through which the shaft postnon-rotatably extends, the first and second raised portions are aroundthe mounting hole, and opposite each other across the mounting hole. 10.The hinge of claim 9, wherein the first raised portion is adjacent tothe mounting hole, and the second raised portion is adjacent to acircumference of the male element.
 11. The hinge of claim 10, whereinthe rotating member comprises a pivoting portion defining a through holeand a securing hole, the shaft post rotatbly extends through the throughhole, a fixing post extends from the female element to engage in thesecuring hole.
 12. The hinge of claim 11, further comprising two washersfixedly fixed to the shaft post, wherein the washers are located atopposite sides of the pivoting portion.
 13. The hinge of claim 12,wherein the shaft further comprises a washer-shaped shoulder adjacent tothe shaft post, one of the washers abuts against the pivoting portionand the female element, and the other washer abuts against the pivotingportion and the shoulder.